Shoe tree for ladies&#39; heelless shoes



L. FELDWORTH SHOE TRE FORLADIES HEELLESS SHOES Aug. 16,

' 2 Filed m 27, 1946 'atented Aug. 16, 1949 Leo Feldworth, Santa Monica,4 v Application May. 27-, 1946, Serial No. 672,640 3 1 'j l4f3laims.(o1'.i2s'-' 1)' Myinvention relates to'shoe trees, m re' 'particularly'to shoe tree for womens open-heeled shoes... I

T Included in the objects of my invention are: I 1 .First, tojprovi'de ashoe tree which is adapted to, engage andsupport the heel strap of awomans open-heeled shoe'and utilize the strap to retain the toe end ofthe shoe tree in proper engagement with the toe of the shoe, thuproviding a shoe tree which not only assists in maintaining the toe ofthe shoe in proper shape but also minimizes damage to the heel strap dueto folding or downward bending of the heel strap at its points ofconnection to the side of the shoe.

Second, to provide a shoe tree, which, without adjustment, may be fittedinto a wide range of shoe sizes.

Third, to provide a shoe tree which enables the shoe to be hung orsupported on a hook, if desired, to avoid storing the shoe on the closetfloor where iti subject to damage.

Fourth, to provide a shoe tree which is particularly simple andeconomical of construction as Well as sturdy and dependable inoperation.

With the above and other objects in view, reference is directed to theaccompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of a womans open heel shoe with my shoe treeshown in position.

Figure 2 is a top view of my shoe tree.

Figure 3 is a side view thereof.

Figure 4 is an enlarged bottom view of the toe member.

Figure 5 is an enlarged bottom view of the heel member.

My shoe tree includes a toe member I shaped to fit within the toeportion of a shoe, the toe member is preferably formed of plasticmaterial and its under ide is hollow. Within the rear side of the toemember are bosses 2 in which are 40 inserted and secured the ends of apair of parallel connecting bars 3. The rear ends of the connecting barsare bent downwardly and are joined together to form an open loop 4 whichconstitutes a rest or support adapted to bear against the insole of theshoe. 7 A heel member 5 is provided which is also preferably formed ofplastic and open at its under side. The heel member 5 is substantiallywedgeshaped in plan with a rounded apex. The forward or wider end of theheel member is provided with a pair of parallel guide bosses 6 havingholes therethrough to receive the connecting bars 3. The heel member isadapted to be fitted onto the connecting bars 3 before these bars aresecured 111;: the toemember .-I. In order to permit inser tionof thebars the side walls :of the heel meme ber are-,recessed as;indicated by-I.: The heel. member 5 may ,beprovidedzwith a hole: 3 to en 5 able theshoe tree vtobe hung on a 110011.01 .similar, support. and also to"receive ones finger when fitting the shoe tree into a shoe..

The connecting bars 3 receive coil springs 9 which urge the heel member5 to its rearwardly l0 extended position. In this position the open loopor support 4 is engaged by the rear extremities of the guide bosses 6and forms a stop.

The shoe tree is employed as follows: The toe member 2 is inserted inthe toe A of the shoe and the heel member'5 is drawn forwardly until theheel strap B of the shoe 0 may be fitted around the heel member 5. Inthis position the loop 4 rests on the insole D ofv the shoe and supportsthe heel member as well as the heel strap in the proper elevatedposition relative to the shoe.

It will be observed that by reason of the recessed side walls 1 the heelmember 5 may be relatively long so that its range of movement in 2 orderto accommodate different sizes of shoes may be relatively large so as tominimize the need for different sizes of shoe trees.

Having fully described my invention it is to be understood that I do notwish to be limited to the details herein set forth, but my invention isof the full scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

'1. A shoe tree for womens shoes of the type wherein a heel strapextends from the toe or mid-portion of the shoe around the heel of thewearer and is supported thereby, said shoe tree comprising: a toe membershaped to fit within the toe of a womans shoe; a frame extendingtherefrom and including a support adapted to rest on the heel of theshoe; and a heel strap engaging member slidable on said frame inapproximately the normal plane of the heel strap when worn, said memberprojecting rearwardly of said support and shaped to fit within andsupport said strap in said normal plane.

2. A shoe tree for womens shoes of the type wherein a heel strap extendsfrom the toe or midportion .of the shoe around the heel of the wearerand is supported thereby, said shoe tree comprismg: a toe member shapedto fit within the toe of a womans shoe; a pair of bars extending fromsaid toe member terminating in a downturned support adapted to rest onthe heel of the shoe; a slide member guided on said bars, adapted to fitwithin the heel strap of said shoe and disposed in elevated relation tothe shoe heel by reason of said support thereby to maintain said heelstrap in approximately its heel encompassing elevation; and springs onsaid bars for urging said slide to its extended position.

3. A shoe tree for womens shoes of the type wherein a heel strap extendsfrom the toe or midportion of the shoe around the heel of the wearer andis supported thereby, said shoe tree comprising: astoe member? shapedto: fit within; thetoe of a woman's shoe; a U-shaped support adapted torest on the insole of the shoe and a pair of rods extending from theextremities of said support to said toe members; as-li'dla-guiclei onsaid rods and protruding beyondrsaid support, said slide adapted to fitwithin a shoe heel strap and positioned by said support;tmretainlsaidzstrapl in approximately its normal heel encompassing;position; and yieldable means engaging sa'i'clslide to its extendedpositiona A shoe tree for women s shoes: or the type. whereim a heelstrap extends: from: the toe on mideportion, of' the shoe around: theheel of the: and: is'supported thereby, said shoe-weeeomprisingz: a toemember shaped toflti within thertoe of a: woman s shoe;a'guidelmeansaextendiing rearwardly from: said the member andtenminating in a downwardly directed support adapted to rest on theinsole of the shoe; a slide member carried by said guide means andprotruding rearwardly beyond said support, said slide member adapted tofit within a shoe heel strap and positioned by said support to retainsaid strap in approximately its normal wearing position; and yieldablemeans for urging said slide towardlits extended position on said guide.

LEO FELlEiWORTH.

REFERENCES CITED 7 The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

